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In just a few short days, a World Series star will be speaking in the area.

Texas Rangers first basemen Mitch Moreland will be the highlight of the 2011 Hot Stove Banquet presented by the Hickory Crawdads on Thursday, Jan. 27 at Rock Barn Golf and Spa.

Tickets for the event are available now and cost $35. Discount group tickets are also available and cost $200 for eight tickets.
The 25-year-old Moreland was a participant in the Texas Rangers amazing postseason, in which they reached the 2010 World Series as champions of the American League.

He led the Rangers with six hits in the “Fall Classic”. He held a .462 average and tied for team honors with three RBI and one HR.

“We are thrilled to have Mitch Moreland as our speaker for our annual Hot Stove Banquet,” said Crawdads general manager Mark Seaman. “The fact that he went to a World Series in his first season in the major leagues will no doubt be interesting to hear about.”

Before coming to the Rangers, Moreland spent time with the Class-A Clinton LumberKings of the Midwest League, the Class-A Advanced Bakersfield Blaze and the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders.

In Jan. 2010, Moreland was invited to Texas Rangers spring training and would join the Triple-A Oklahoma City RedHawks. He stayed there until July, when he was called up to the Rangers main roster.

“Mitch will be able to relate well to our fans, having played at this level as recently as 2008,” Seaman said. “The combination of this, plus his World Series experience, gives him a unique perspective and should make it an enjoyable evening for all that attend.”

Also that night, area high schools and college coaches from Catawba Valley Community College, Lenoir-Rhyne, Appalachian State and Hickory High School will speak and give a preview of their team’s seasons.

The banquet begins at 6:15 p.m. with a social gathering before Moreland steps to the microphone at 7 p.m. There will also be a silent auction with local and national sports memorabilia that fans will be able to bid on.